Baby-walker



Nn. 6|2,27. Patented out. u, |898.

F. H. SCHLUNZ.

BABY WALKER. (Application med my 1o, l1897.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES t PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK H. SCHLUNZ, OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA.

BABY-WALKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 612,278, dated October 11, 1898.

To LZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK H. SGHLUNZ, of Michigan City,in the county of LaPorte and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Baby-Walkers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for teaching infants to walk, generally known as perambulators or gocarts, the object of the invention being to provide a cart Vof this character in which the frame that supports the infant can be adjusted as to height, particular means being provided for holding the infant within the said frame, the table with which the device is furnished acting to close the open end of the frame and is connected thereto, so that it can be readily swung open and closed. l

Having the above ends in view the invention consists in a perambulator or go-cart comprising an open-ended frame supported on legs, casters having standards which are adjustable within the legs, means for holding the infant within the frame, and a table closing the open end of the .frame and in swinging engagement therewith.

In the following specification I have entered into a detail description of the parts which constitute my invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to numerals thereon which designate the different parts, and" what I consider to be the novel features of construction are specifically recited in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this speci- Iication, Figure 1 is a side view of a perambulator or go-cart constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device. Fig. 3 isa sectional view through the upper frame to show the manner of connecting the holding-straps thereto. Figa 4 is a sectional view through the lower part of one of the legs. Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the casters. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the lower end of 'one of the legs, and Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a detail section showing the ball-andsocket joint, by which the table or Vcentral opening thereof.

leaf isconnected Vto the frame. Fig. 9 is a similar view of the spring-pressed bolt for fastening the table or leaf.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the frame or upper part of the perambulator or go-cart, which presents side rails 2 2 and an end rail 3, the opposite end of the frame being left open to provide access to the This open-ended frame is supported by the legs 4, one at each corner, the said legs being connected to each other by the usual rungs 5. The lower ends of these legs are provided with transverse recesses extending longitudinally a considerable distance and present bifurcated members, between which is adapted to slide a fiat plate 6, forming the stock or standard of the casters 7, the length of the opening between the bifurcated legs extending upward a distance corresponding with the length of the standard. In order to reinforce the lower end of the divided leg,the same is provided with a ferrule or tube 9, the said ferrule or tube having at its lower end a spring-catch 10, which engages a longitudinal series ofnotches 11 in the standard of the casters to hold said casters when they are extended to adjust the height of the frame 1. This adjustable feature of the casters or rollers provides a simple and, convenient means of adjusting the frame to accommodate the size or growth of the infant.

The infant is supported within the frame by means of looped straps 12, which extend from the side and end pieces of the frame 1 and engage a baud or belt 13, which is provided with a buckle, so that it can be adjusted. In order that the loops or straps l2 may also be adjusted to suit the adjustment of the belt or band, the ends'of the said loops are passed downward through slots in the frame and one end of each loop is rigidly secured to the under side of said framewhile the other end is provided with a-series of holes to engage headed pins, which are attached to the frame. This construction provides one in which the child is supported at the center of the open frame, and the arrangement does not permit its body to come in contact with the side and end pieces of said frame. The open end of the frame 1 is closed by a board or table 14, which is connected to one side of IOO said frame by an ordinary ball-and-socket joint 15 and is provided at its free end with a spring-actuated bolt 16, that engages a slotted plate or keeper 17, attached to the outer side of the opposite side piece of the frame. By providinga ball-and-socket joint the board or' table can be raised upward in placing the child within the go-cart, or it may be swung around to one side and dropped down along one side of the cart.

From the joregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings the construction of my invention will be readily understood, and the operation of the device is similar to the ordinary perambulator or gocart presenting a frame and legs having casters at their lower ends; but the particular construction and arrangement of parts as herein shown and described forms a device of this character which is adjustable to suit `the growth of the infant or child and also properly supports the child within the frame.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a perambulator or go-cart, the combination with an open-ended frame supported on legs having caster-wheels at their lower ends, of a table connected to one side of the open frame bya ball-and-socket joint, whereby the table may be swung either in a vertical or horizontal or intermediate plane, and a spring-actuated bolt at the free end of thetable engaging a slotted keeper on the opposite side of the frame, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with a frame provided with bifurcated legs, of casters provided with shanks extending into the lower ends and between the branches of the legs and provided with notches having parallel horizontal upper and lower sides, and spring-catches carried by the legs and designed to engage the notches in the shanks to prevent movement of said shanks in both directions, substantially as speciied.

3. In a perambulator or go-cart, the combination with an open frame supported by legs and having vertical slots therein, of ilexible straps, the ends of which are passed through the slots, headed pins on the under side of the frame to which one end of each strap is rigidly attached, the other end of each strap having a series of holes adapted to engage one of such pins, and a belt passed through the looped ends of the straps, substantially as specified.

4. A perambulator or go-cart, comprising an open-ended frame having legs to provide vertical recesses at their lower ends, a tube or ferrule at the lower end of each leg and provided with a spring-catch, caster-wheels having shanks or standards with notches which are engaged by the catches, and a board or table pivoted at one side to the open end of the frame and having a sprin g-actuated bolt which engages the slotted plate or keeper at the other side of said open end of the frame; together with looped straps passed through slots in the side pieces of the open frame, one end of each strap being secured to the frame, while the other is adjustably connected thereto, and a belt passed through the looped ends of the straps so as to be located at the center of the open frame, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDK. II. SCHLUNZ.

Witnesses:

JULIUs KRUEGER, J ooNssIM VoLKDoRF. 

